Just somewhat,Shark Fu. Why Terry Eggers,the publisher of our local rag, ran a carefully worded tip toe around the truth obit, in this former abolishionist stronghold speaks volumes. Minorites are constantly asked to repudiate individuals who upset the sensibilites of the majority, but the majority never think to extend the same courtesy to them in return.No one seems willing to speak truth to power.Cloak it in whatever terms you prefer, but this was an evil,hateful man who used his political power to impede the progess of blacks,women,and people with HIV. The best thing I can say of his passing, is that I'm glad I could witness it.

I posted about his death at daddyBstrong.blogspot.com. A lady commented that Helms wanted to die as quickly as possible because he didn't want to live in a country run by a black man. Now that's racism for you.

I use too work w/a man who 'loved' J. Helms & repeating his words like they came from the good book to torment. That went on for several months, until one day I leaned over his shoulder & whispered in his ear 'u don't know how many friends I have, nor will u be able to see them after dark'...grin, he told boss, I denied & acted confused..lol, he quit soon after..& I missed my chance...roflmao

""Regardless of any executive proclamation, I do not want the flags at the North Carolina Standards Laboratory flown at half staff to honor Jesse Helms any time this week," Eason wrote just after midnight, according to e-mail messages released in response to a public records request.

He told his staff that he did not think it was appropriate to honor Helms because of his "doctrine of negativity, hate, and prejudice" and his opposition to civil rights bills and the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday."

One thing that always dismayed me about Helms's tactics (I mean, apart from the obvious) is the sheer apathy that white people would display at his bigotry and hatred. The fact that we shrugged our shoulders and said "he's from a different era" as if that somehow made it OK tells you all you need to know about how 'far' this country has come towards racial justice.